Grain-hulling machine.



PATENTED FEB. 117, '1903. A; E. HOFLAND. GRAIN HULLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 15, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A TH: scams Pzvzn cu woramuo., WASHINGTON, n. c.

No. 720,921. PATENTED PEB. k17, 1903.

A. E.l HOPLAND.

GRAIN HULLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AR. 15, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 720,921. PATENTBD FEB. 17, 1903. Af. HOFLAND.

GRAIN HULLING MACHINE.

APPLIUATON FILED APB. 15, 1902.

I ND MODEL. I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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No. 720,921. PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903. A. E. HOFLAND.

GRAIN HULLING MACHINE.

l APPLIGATION FILED APB.. 15', 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET el.

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@Nima 'raras tric.

ANDREAS E. HOFLAND, OF MENOMONIE, VYISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOF.J. MGLEAN, OF MENOMONIE, WISCONSIN.

GRAIN-HULLING MACHINE.

SPECEFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,921, dated February17, 1903.

Application filed April 15,1902. Serial No. 102,957. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it muy concer-72,:

Be it known that I, ANDREAS E. H OFLAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Menomonie, in the county of Dunn and State of l/Visconsin,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-HulliugMachinos, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to machines for decorticating grain, particularlybarley, for producing what is technically termed pearl barley, of thattype which includes an attrition disk or bur carried by ahorizontallyjournaled shaft, a shell or cylinder, horizontallyjournaled, inclosing the disk, said shell having its inner peripheryprovided with cutting teeth or surfaces coacting with the periphery ofthe disk to remove the outer cuticle of the grain by attrition when themachine is operated, and means for simultaneously rotating the disk andthe shell or cylinder` inclosing the same in opposite directions.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved construction ofadjustable cylinder which may be readily manipulated to adjust thediameter thereof to compensate for the wearing away of theattrition-disk incident to the operation of the machine and the trimmingthereof.

Another object is to provide an improved mechanism fordischarging thetreated grain ;V and a further object is to simplify the entirevconstruction of machines of the type described to increase thedurabilityand effectiveness thereof and decrease the cost ofconstruction and repair of the same.

To this end the invention includes an attrition-disk suitably mountedand a shell or cylinder inclosing the same comprising sides or headshaving radial guides, a periphery composed of a series of arcuate plateshaving I cutting interior surfaces, and a plurality of frame memberssecured to the heads and guided in the ways referred to, said framemembers carrying said arcuate plates.

The invention further includes the graindiscliarge mechanism, whichincludes one or more pockets formed in the periphery of said shell,having suitable controlling-gates and discharge-tubes leading therefromextending partly around the periphery of the same and conforming inshape thereto.r

The invention also includes the details of construction, as will behereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

WVhile the invention is susceptible of many chan ges and modifications,as will readily suggest themselves, I have disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings what I now conceive to he the preferable embodiment of thesame.

In the drawings, comprising four sheets, Figure l is a perspective viewof the machine, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view with theupper part of the casing removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectionalView. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the upper part of the casing with apart of one of the heads of the shell broken away. Fig. 5 is a detailview of one of the receiving-pockets of the discharge mechanism. Fig. 6is a detail perspective of one of the frame members for carrying thearcuate peripheral plates. 7 is a similar view of one of the framemembers of the other set. Fig. S is an enlarged View of the shell withone-half of one of the heads thereof removed, and Fig. 9 is a'plau viewof the same. Fig. l0 is a detail sectional viewion the line l0 of Fig.9,4 showing the'pipe l5 in elevation.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, the cylinder or shell a,inclosing the attrition-.disk h, is contained within a casing c,comprising a bottom portion d anda cap portion d, removably seatedthereon. The disk b is fixed to a horizontally-arranged shaft f,journaled inY bearing-boxes@ ,securedk to the upper edges of bottomportion d ou opposite sides of the casing, the shaft being driventhrough a main drive-pulley il, secured thereon between one side of thecasing and a bracket To, secured thereto, forming a support for asupplemental bearing-box g'. lnclosing the disk is the shell or cylindera, also horizontally ,iournaled in "bearings secured to the bottom ofthe casing, said bearings extending inwardly from the sides thereofconcentric to the shaft f and providing seats to receive the hubs,4which project axially from the heads of the cylinder or shell. Thelatter is provided with a periphery having cutting projections on theinner face thereof,

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which coact with the disk b in the treatment of the grain fed betweensaid surfaces to remove the cuticles of the same. These cutting-surfacesare preferablyprovided by forming a plurality of indentations in theperiphery of the shell or by punching a plurality of perforationstherein, the metal being forced inward and presenting a ragged cuttingedge to the periphery of the disk.

The grain to be treated is fed between the periphery of the disk and theperiphery of the shell, as before premised, in a manner which will behereinafter described, and the attrition to which it is subjectedthrough the revolution of the two surfaces in opposite directions, aswill be later' referred to, removes the outer cuticles from the grain,and thus produces, if the grain treated is barley, what is termedcommercially pearl barley. The surface of the attrition-disk wearscomparatively rapidly, which necessitates the frequent trimming thereof,and asa consequence the diameter of said disk is constantly reduced. Asit is necessary in properly treating the grain to maintain the width ofthe space between the periphery of the disk and that of the shellsubstantially uniform to compensate for the Wear of said disk, meansmust be provided which will permit of the adjustment of the periphery ofthe shell to reducethe diameter of the latter, and the present inventionpresents a simple construction of shell comprising parts which can beeasily and quickly manipulated to secure this desideratum. For thispurpose the shell is composed of head-sections and a plurality ofindependent arcuate plates and a plurality of frame members carrying theplates and adjustablyconnected to the head-sections.

The heads m 7L each preferably comprise two sections suitably boltedtogether, having radial'slots 0 extending through the same near theperipheries thereof.

Associated with the head-sections and eX- tending between the same are aplurality of skeleton frame memberspp, each carrying an arcuate plate r,forming one section of the periphery of the shell. Each frame member isrectangular in plan view and provided with angular side walls, centrallyof which arcuate slotss are located. When the parts of the shell areassembled, these slots are registered with the slots o and bolts passedthrough the same to secure said members adjustably to the heads. Fromone end of each of the members p curved arms or fingers p2 extend, whichare guided through recesses p10, Fig. '7, formed in the ends of theadjacent membersp and upon the angle-bars forming the sides of thelatter. The abutting ends p" of the frame members p are bolted together,while the ends p12 of the members 1J, which are arranged injuxtaposition, are increased in height and bolted together, with aninterposed space-block p13, thus forming a space between said ends,which is utilized as a receiving-pocket for the grain, as will behereinafter described. The frame members thus form acomplete circularskeleton frame, and the overlapping lingers provide for the expansion oroutward adjustment thereof without breaking the continuity of the same.Each frame member, as before premised, ca rries one arcuate plate r, andas itis desirable to have the periphery of the shell present acontinuous unbroken surface except'at the pockets before alluded t0 itis desirable to provide means whereby the ends of said sections may abutagainst one another irrespective of the diameter or the adjustment ofthe shell. For this purpose the plates secured to the members p aremaintained the exact lengths of the same, and their edges are secured toand coincident with the ends thereof, While the plates secured to themembers p are arranged with one of their edges coincident with the endsthereof which form the side Walls of the pockets referred to, whiletheir opposite ends are free and trimmed to abut against the platescarried by members p. As will be apparent, as the diameter of the shellis decreased itis necessary, as the fingers p2 overlap the member p, totrim off these free edges, and as they are not secured to the tingers itis found desirable to provide means for rigidly securing said ends tothe skeleton frame. This is accomplished by bars u,which extendtransversely between said fingers, but

are independent of the same, which are bolted to the recessed ends ofmembersp. The free ends of the plates r, carried by members p, aresecured to said bars.

As will be appreciated, to adjust the diameter of the shell the skeletonframe members are unbolted from one another and the bolts t unloosenedand moved to the desired position in the radial slots. When the desiredposition is attained, the bolts are tightened up and the skeleton framemembers again bolted to one another. As will be understood, the shell isconstantly decreased in diameter as the disk wears away, and the platesr, secured to members p, are consequently gradually trimmed down. Whenthe disk is worn down to its core and a new one of full diameter issubstituted therefor, the plates r are also renewed.

To feed the grain to the attrition-surfaces, the bore of the hub of oneof the heads mn, through which passes the shaft f, is made of greaterdiameter than the latter to provide a passage through which the grainmay pass to the interior of the shell, and as the disk is of less Widththan the latter the grain passing through saidhub will fall down betweenthe side of the disk and the adjacent side of the shell and enter thespace between the coacting attrition-surfaces. The grain is fed inregulated quantities to and through said hub from a hopper w, secured toone side of the cap d', having a discharge-spout provided with means fordirecting the grain through an opening in the side of said cap inregister with the bore of said hub. In the IIO bottom of the hopper acorrugated feed-Wheel is located, fixed upon a shaft w', journaled tothe side of the cap d'- and driven by a gearwheel 2, Which is in turndriven from a counter-shaft 4, connected by a belt to a secondcounter-shaft 5, driven from the main shaft, as will be described. Thequantity of grain admitted tothe wheel is controlled by a suitable gate6, guided through the front Wall of the hopper, which exposes more orless of the Wheel, according to the adjustment of said gate. Thisadjustment is secured by means of a gear-wheel in mesh with a rack onsaid gate, said wheel being operated bya suitable hand-lever. As thegrain falls or is fed from the hopper it drops upon an inclineddefiecting-plate 7, located in the feed-spout, which directs the grainthrough an opening 8 in the side Wall of the cap coincident with thebore of the hub. For discharging the grain from the shell mechanism forgiving a continuous action is provided.

As before premised, the adjacent ends 2912 of skeleton frame members pare separated by space-blocks p13, and the spaces so formed are utilizedas receiving-pockets. To this end cover-plates l2 are provided forbridging the outer` ends p12 of the adjacent ends of said member p toclose the space between the same, said plates being secured to thespaceblocks. Each of the pockets thus formed has its inlet into theinterior of the shell regulated by a sliding gate i3, which has an endextending through a radial slot 14 in one of the heads, that may begrasped in adjusting the size of said inlet. These gates are supportedin a similar manner to boltst' by plates 20, secured to the heads andprovided with tongues extending into said slots 14E. The grain passesfrom between the friction-su rfaces into said pockets, and to dischargethe same therefrom discharge pipes or spouts l5 are provided, eachcurved to conform to the periphery of the shell and extending partlyaround the same and having one end opening into one of said pockets, theopposite end of the pipe being free and unobstructed. As the shell isrotated, as will be described, the grain will pass continuously throughthe pockets and out through said spouts, falling 'upon the bottom ofcasing c, which is provided with an inclined hopper-shaped interior.

As before premised, the cylinder or shell is rotated simultaneouslywith, lbut in au opposite direction to, the disk. This reverse rotationis attained through the medium of the counter-shaft 5, journaled inbearings secured to the upper edge of the bottom portion d of thecasing, which is driven from the main shaft and is provided with apinion 9, meshing with a peripheral gear l0 on the shell. The lattergear is preferably cast integral with the sections forming one of theheads of the shell; but this is not essential.

From the foregoing it is thought the construction and operation of themachine Will be fully understood and that it will be realized that theinvention presents a simple, durable, and effective means for attainingthe purposes set forth.

ln a machine of this character it is desirable after the parts haverotated in one relative direction for a period of time and thecutting-surfaces have consequently become Worn upon certain lines tochange the direction of or the relative rotation of the parts. For thispurpose the skeleton-frame members of the shell or casing hereinpresented are adapted to be reversed in positions, and this may be doneby simply unbolting the sections comprising said skeleton frame andreversing the individual members thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a machine of the class described, the combination With anattrition-disk, of an adj ustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads, a plurality of arcuate plates having abutting ends,and a frame member associated With each plate, said frame members beingcoupled to one another whereby an unbroken support is provided for saidplates, said members being radially adjustable between said heads,substantially as described,

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination With anattrition-disk, of an adjustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads having radial slots therein, a pluralityof perforatedarcuate plates having abutting ends forming the entire periphery of theshell, a frame member associated with each plate, said members beingcoupled to one another to provide a continuous support for the plates,and bolts extending through said frame members and through said radialslots for adj ustably connecting the plates to said heads, substantiallyas described.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anattrition-disk, of an adj ustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads having radial slots therein, a plurality of arcuateplates forming the entire periphery of the shell, a frame memberassociated with each plate, said members being coupled to one another toprovide a continuous supporting-frame, bolts extending through the sameand through said radial slots for adjust-ably connecting the plates tosaid heads, and a locking-plate associated with each slot, substantiallyas described.

4. In a machine of the class described, the

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combination with an attrition-disk, of an adprojecting into the slot andcoacting' with the bolt extending therethrough, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anattrition-disk, of an adjustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads having radial slots, a plurality of arcuate plateshaving abutting ends,

a skeleton frame member associated withl each plate having elongatedslots in the sides thereof designed to register with said radial slots,and bolts extending through said registering slots for securing saidplates to said heads, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anattrition-disk, of an adjustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads, a plurality of arcuate plates, and two sets ofskeleton frame members carrying the same adapted to be adjustablysecurede to said head, one set of said plates having overlapping armsextending from one of theirends, and the other set having recessed endsand angular sides to receive and guide said arms, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a machine of the class described, an attrition-disk withy meansfor rotating the same, a shell inclosing said disk and having aperiphery coacting therewith, means for rotating saidfshell, adischarge-pocket in the periphery of the shell, and a section of pipeforming a discharge-spout carried by androtating with said shell, saidpipe being curved to conform to the periphery of the shell and havingone end entering said pocket, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anattrition-disk, of an adjustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads, a plurality of plates formrectal ing the periphery ofsaid shell, a frame member associated with each plate, two of saidmembers having ends forming the side walls of adischarge-pocket, meansassociated therewith bridging said ends to close said space, and aregulating-gate for said pocket, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anattrition-disk, of an adjustable shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads, a plurality of plates forming the periphery of saidshell, a frame member associated with each plate, two of said membershaving ends forming the side walls of a discharge-pocket,meansassociated therewith bridging said ends to closesaid space, aregulating-gate for said pocket projecting through one head of theshell, and a supporting-plate therefor secured to said head,substantially as described.

lO. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anattrition-disk, of an adjust-able shell or cylinder inclosing the samecomprising heads, a plurality of arcuate plates, and two sets ofskeleton frame members carrying the same adapted to be adjustablysecured to said head, one set of said plates having overlapping armsextending from one of their ends, a space-block located between theopposite end of the plate of said set, a plate secured to said blockforming with the latter ends a receiving-pocket, dischargespouts leadingtherefrom anda gate for regulating the same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afIiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREAS E. HOFLAND.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, CHAs. L. WALLACE.

